From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
The crisis rocking Ondo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened, at the weekend, as the party is threatening to sanction suspended chairman, Isaac Kekemeke.
The party has accused Kekemeke of for contravening the party’s constitution.
The party also accused him of anti-party activities and negligence of his constitutional duties as chairman.
Already, the State Executive Committee of the party has unanimously endorsed Mr. Ade Adetimehin as acting chairman, pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
Director of Media and Publicity in the state, Mr. Steve Otaloro, said Kekemeke would be disciplined, if found culpable of allegations against him.
Otaloro said the committee set up to investigate Kekemeke will commence sitting today at the party’s state secretariat in Akure, adding that the committee had invited him to appear before it.
He said the party’s leaders across the state hailed the suspension of Kekemeke, adding that life has returned to the secretariat of the party since the suspension of Kekemeke.
“The lull in the political activities at the secretariat has been broken with the suspension of Kekemeke.
“The three-man disciplinary committee, set up to investigate the suspended chairman for failing to discharge his responsibilities, neglect and dereliction of duty, among other offences, contrary to Article 21(D)(vi) of APC Constitution (October 2014 as amended), has also commenced work.
“A flurry of activities is expected to burst forth in the secretariat immediately as the party has been in the comatose for too long shortly before the gubernatorial primary election of the party last year.”
He recalled that a vote of no confidence was passed on Kekemeke and was asked to vacate his position as chairman of the party by elders of the party and state executive committee on the allegation of high handedness in the administration of the party, an action that led to litigation against him by some members. Otaloro said members will wait for the outcome of the findings of the disciplinary committee to know Kekemeke’s fate.
Meanwhile, Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has assured that 2017 budget will be presented to the House of Assembly before end of this month. Akeredolu, who spoke through his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, at a meeting between officials of the state and World Bank team in Akure, said the budget will cater for the needs of the three senatorial districts in the state.
Immediate past governor, Olusegun Mimiko, did not present the budget to the Assembly before he left office in February.
Mimiko’s inability to present the budget was occasioned by the leadership crisis which engulfed the Assembly at the tail end of his administration. Twice, the former governor was prevented from entering the Assembly to present the budget to the House.
However, Akeredolu said he has concluded arrangements to present the 2017 budget. He also thanked the World Bank officials, led by the Task Team Leader, Mr. Folusho Okunmadewa for their interest in the state and assured the government will include all the developmental plans in collaboration with the World Bank.